Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Glad its a lease - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By KennyO - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I picked this up 4/00. The finish shot. The dealer was unable to fix. I had to buff it myself. Day one, the tail lights didnt work. Found that out at 1 AM. just swell. Other problems: an auto lamp that goes nuts in bright sunlight, a crunching noise in the front end but the mechanics cant find it. The car was delivered W/O an air filter, go figure. Three years the State of Florida has mailed the re-regist. paper to Chrysler Leasing and they have THROWN THEM AWAY. This has earned me a nice $ 85 fine while parked at Miami Airport. Complain to Chrysler? They simply suck and are incapable of changing. Why is this car is rated highly?

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  Junk in Miami - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Junk in Miami - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Great concept, poorly executed! We loved our car when we first bought it. Dark Blues with the Woody package. Still turns heads to this day. However, front wheel bearings went out at 20K, transmission went out at 37K, water pump went out at 52K and overheated warping the head. Luckily this all was covered under the extended bumper to bumper warranty. When the water pump went out, it still cost me over $800 for misc repairs that the car needed. Four months later the car started running rough, so back to the dealer and another $1100. None of the work they did before was now covered since the warranty expired and so did the warranty on their work! Really? Yes. I can not afford this junk!

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  Chrysler cant build a transmission - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By Thomas Rose - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I have a new van at 20000 miles I needed a new transmission. Several dodge dealers in my area ,would not work on a Chrysler!! Then the told me if I did not buy the van there they wont do warrenty work! Now I got it repaired an at 29000 miles it needs a new transmission. What a peice of junk..

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  I will never buy another one! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By neverbyanotherone! - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It has a lot of get up and go! The car is great when it runs!!!! This car has had a new crank sensor, oil sender unit, solenoid pack, and brakes. It has also (according to dealership)programmed itself to think it has an alarm. It has had over $3500 of work on this car and still has problems. Thats a lot of money for a car with 88,000 miles on it. This is the first Chrysler I have ever owned and definitely will be the last!!!!

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  Lauren - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lauren Haynie - June 28 - 2:00 am

  it was a nice car,bumper was rebuilt and had reciepts to back up all of repairs.

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  Piece of Crap - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By George R - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new for my wife. She loves it - I hate it. It has 35000 miles on it and this is what we have had to have done: Numerous leaks in the convertible top, 3 sets of front rotors and pads, both door straps, head gasket (!), timing chain and emissions control computer. I have never had a car with so many problems. Still doesnt run right. I take very good care of my cars and this is what we got from Chrysler. I also had a 97 Intrepid ES - great car but then I got a 99 Intrepid ES - piece of crap also. Chrysler, you have a problem!!

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  Regrets - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SOFLA - June 18 - 6:00 pm

  The mileage is just awful. How could a 4 cyl compact car in 07 get such bad mileage? Shame on you Chrysler. I have under 20K Mi and have been to the dealer 4 times. My PT stalled out on me 2 times! Embarassing for a new car. Check Eng light came on and off regularly, finally it was diagnosed as oxygen sensor. Clear lens on dash developed 2 cracks, A/C made noise when recurculate was turned on and off. All fixed politely by my accomodating dealer, however it is a hassle. I dread long term reliability and would sell right now if not for huge loss. Front seats have stains from water spills? Should have gone for the HHR for the extra 3-4K $. I do not recomend this car

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  Why I will never buy another chrysler - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By podolj - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The power steering constantly dies, Dealership has not been able to find out why, Chrysler is no help

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  car is junk. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptmike - June 6 - 5:26 pm

  oil leaks,oil leaks.oil leaks!!!!!!! brakes,rotors,cyl head replace!!! tires at 30000 miles. poor service from dealers & chrysler.don`t buy one!!!!!!.

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  The PLAGUE - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By pjr - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Youll become close friends with the service department(quarterly visits the norm). Everything has been repaired/replaced: Engine,trans, rotors,computer twice A/C four times window, ragtop,water pump twice. The word is out! This nicely styled car has zero resale value.The extended warranty is done and so am I. I would rather walk than own another Chrysler family product again.